Improved process for amalgamating gold ahb silves



liliiteti godet LLMARIN B. PAUL, 0F SAN FRANCISCO, AND J. L. WOOD, OlINDEPE- DENCE, CALIFORNIA.

Letters Paten-t N 95,931, (late-Z October 19. 186i).

IMPROVED PROCESS POR .AMALG-AMATING- GOLD .AND SILVER.

The' Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making pan'. ofthe same .Kn-ow all 'man by these presents That we, ALMAPJX B. PAUL, ofthe city and county of San Francisco, California, and J. L. Woon, ofIndependence, Inyo county, California, have made a new and usefulinvention for the Amalgamating of Gold and Silver, which is called ThePaul and lVood Electric Amalgamating-Irocess; the following, takentogether with the drawing, figures, and letters attached, heilig a fullandexact description thereof.

The nature of our impuls-ement consists in amalgamating the ores of theprecious metals, in a perfect-ly pulverized and dry condition. bv meansof a simple and horizontal metallic barrel or cylinder, and the additionof' mercury.

To enable others skilled in the art to widerstand and use our invention,and the process of amalgamation therewith, we will proceed to describethe same.

A, figs. 1 and 2, is 'a horizontal hollow metallic cylinder, suspendedor supported on its hollow axles, by

` means of suitable bearings in the chamber of the furnace.

By means of the hollow axles, communica-tion with the cylinder from theatmosphere is made.

On one of the axles is a pulley, for giving a rotary motion to thecylinder.

Below the cylinder is a space for a fire-hearth, or g ate, and at anysuitable part of the furnace a chimney or place may be constructed forcarrying off' the smoke or gas from any fire that may be made therein.

The cylinder is also pro\'ided"\\'ith a proper Opeliing, at anysiiitable place, for the introduction of materials thereto, and forwithdrawing the saine.

This opening is provided with a proper cover for closing it.

The inside of' the cylinder is left smooth, as it may he left, bycasting, or by wrought-iron materials.

The process of amalgama-tion with the above-described apparatus is asfollows, viz:

The lnetalliferous ore, finely pulverized, is placed in the cylinder A,in such a quant-ity as to occupy less depth than one-half of' itsdiameter. The opening is then closed. .lhe cylinder is then set in slowmotion, and a gentle fire applied in the grate, or ou the hearth belowit., for the purpose of' completely but slowly drying and Ventilatingthe pulverizcd orc, the moisture escaping therefrom through the hollowaxles B B.

When the drying-process is finished, the fire is ailowed to go out, asit is no longer needed, the hollow axles stopped up, and the mercury ina large amounth greater than in ordinary processes, and according to thedifferent natures ofthe ores to be treated, intro` duced int-o thecylinder, through the openings thereof', which is then closed.

The amalgamation now begins, and goes on by the slow revolution of thecylinder. and its contents. bv which the mercury is thoroughlyincorporated with the ore, the slight heat induced therein by theprevious drying-process being sufiicient to give a proper tenuity to themercury, without raporiziug or volatilizing it, for its more perfectdissemination through the pulverized ore.

Figure 1, front view.

Figure 2, cylinder or barrel.

Figure 3, end View.

A, barrei.

l, axles.

C, opening.

l), tire-bed.

We do not claim the use of the hollow cylinder, for the purpose eitherof roasting, ,lesulphuriziug, Vaporizing, or volatilizing; neither dowe. claim the hollow axles for the introduction and use of the vaporsol' mercury, for purposes of amalgamation but l. The combination of thesimple horizontal rotatingr hollow or perforated-:tried cylinder A, witha furnace, for the purpose of drying and Ventilating materials to heamalgamated.

2. rlhe process of drying and Ventilating mctalliferons orcs, andamalgamating the same, substantially as set forth.

3. The amalgamating of' pulverized orcs in a dry condition, withmercury, in metallic or wooden barrels or cylinders, without the use ofartificial heat.

ALMARXN .'l'. PAU L. J. l.. WOOD. fitnesses CALVIN BRowN, FRANK E.BROWN.

